As election signs pop up across the city, one St. Albert man has decided to put his own personal touch on the federal election season.
Stan Gallant is not running for office. He just wanted a sign – and maybe a glass of wine, if you take the signs he created literally.
Gallant decided to make four signs to give the people of St. Albert a laugh.
“You know, that's all it was meant for, just to lighten the mood and have some fun,” he said.
His lawn now bears a sign that reads: "Stan Gallant. Not running for anything. Just wanted a sign," on a blue background next to a graphic of a wine glass.
He has another one on his daughter's lawn, one in his office and one he takes with him in his car.Gallant, who is a local real estate agent, said there are signs everywhere you look during elections and they take away from the real estate signs the professionals have up on lawns.
“People don't even bother to look anymore,” Gallant said.
He said he was inspired by the company that makes his real estate signs, Regent Signs, which has a similar sign in its store window.
Last election, Gallant was considering printing a sign as a joke but never followed through with the idea. This time around, he decided it would be fun to lighten the mood.
During a realty conference last week, Gallant was sitting with his real estate friends who were all talking about the negative impact the elections signs have on their business.
Gallant talked about making his light-hearted signs with his real estate pals and the idea was firmly planted in his head.
Gallant, who lives in Oakmont, went home that night and couldn’t sleep with that “crazy thought” running through his head, so the next morning he got up and emailed the company and asked for some signs to be made.
The real estate agent said the signs have been a big hit with everyone who sees them. He has been contacted by his sister’s friend who lives in Ottawa, who wants to have one of his signs. Gallant also has a friend in Germany who wants him to bring him a sign next time he comes to visit.
Even locally there has been demand for his sign.
“I’ve had a few clients and friends saying, ‘I’ve got an empty lawn and I think that’s the funniest thing I’ve ever seen, so please drop one off.’ ”
As of now, Gallant plans to order 10 more signs over the next few weeks to put on some friends' lawns across the city.
